Mind-blowing stat reveals exactly who Newcastle's priority summer signing should be - Opinion

Salmon Rondon has been brilliant for Newcastle United this season, and this incredible stat proves just how crucial he truly is.

44% – Salomon Rondon (9 goals and 7 assists) has been directly involved in 44% of Newcastle’s Premier League goals this season (16/36), the highest percentage for the club since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (50% – 26/52). Integral. pic.twitter.com/auIibnxKKe

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 27, 2019

Rondon’s qualities

The Venezualean striker is already a fan favourite on Tyneside and signing him should be a priority for The Toon. What this stat proves is that without Rondon, Newcastle would have been releagated a long time ago but signing him on loan with an option to buy was a stroke of genius by Rafa Benitez and has to be considered one of the signings of the season.

His hold-up-play is superb and allows for Newcastle to relieve pressure when they are defending deep, but his goal contribution has also been excellent and in particular the link-up with Ayoze Perez has proved to be a vital combination which has secured The Magpies’ Premier League status for another season.

Why signing him is crucial

The 29-year-old has done his job and it is now up to the Newcastle board to secure his permanent signature, the price of £16.5m is a snip for such an accomplished Premier League striker who suits Benitez’s game plan so well, if he were to go back to West Brom you can bet another top-flight-club would snap him up after such an impressive season for The Toon. Even if West Brom get promoted the price will be £20m which is still a bargain.

The partnership of Perez, Rondon and Miguel Almiron, which Newcastle fans have named “The Three Amigos”, has totally transformed the way Newcastle attack and to take Rondon out would leave Newcastle without that focal point, which allows Almiron and Perez to thrive, particularly the Spaniard who is in the best form of his career at the moment.

For what Rondon gives Newcastle the deal should be a no-brainier but The Toon board have a reputation of not signing players they deem will not have any re-sale value. To replace the West Brom striker it would cost as much if not more than £16m though, so signing him may actually save them money.

We will have to wait till the summer to see if Newcastle do sign Rondon, but Opta’s incredible stat proves that he should absolutely be the first name on the shopping list.

from FootballFanCast.com http://bit.ly/2V2ssXo